Aspen Achievement Academy
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Aspen Achievement Academy is a wilderness therapy program based in Loa, Utah with a minimum stay of 35 days.
It is a part of Aspen Education Group.
The target group is adolescent males and females, ages 13-17, with a history of moderate to severe emotional and behavioral problems, low self-esteem, academic underachievement, substance abuse and family conflict. They offer the services of a teen escort company if needed.
It is JCAHO certified and licensed as an Outdoor Treatment Program by the State of Utah Department of Human Services.
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[edit] Program description
Assessment: When the adolescent arrives, they will undergo a Diagnostic Assessment phase, which consists of a review of the student's medical history and medication status, a physical examination, urine drug screen and lab work. The purpose is to find out whether the detainee has any medically based problems that must be treated prior to entering the program. It should also assess the student's physical ability to handle the demands of the field.
If a youth has recently completed a psychological evaluation, the staff will use them to formulate an individualized treatment plan. Otherwise the staff will do the evaluation themselves.
Mouse phase: The youth is taken to the camp site of one of the teams, where a ceremony of introduction is undertaken. People in Mouse phase are not allowed to talk during this phase which can take about 48 hours. After a short introduction they are taken to a place where they must remain isolated at a shelter and observe how the group function. Any need and food is cared for by the group. They must write about why they think that they are sent there and what they expect to offer the group and what they thinks needs to be altered in themselves. With the help of a staff person they have selected, they will undergo a second ceremony blindfolded after they have shown a desire to move up to the next phase. A lot of historical references involving prehistoric Native Americans are included in that phase. Upon the acceptance of the group, the detainee can join the team as a Coyote member.
Coyote phase: During this phase, which normally lasts about 14 days, the youth must do chores and learn that behavior has consequences. It is also in this phase where the student must read the impact letter to the group. A letter from the parents often is the first time the youth learns of the motive for enrolling the person into the program.
As listed on the program website the tasks that a youth must be able to handle are:
| Complete a bow drill fire on five separate days. | Cooks meals for oneself. | Takes appropriate care for gear, clothes, and other possessions. |
| Demonstrates good personal hygiene. | Practices safe behavior. | Follows directions appropriately. |
| Uses time wisely to complete daily tasks. | Demonstrates basic communication skills. | Learning how to respect self and others. |
| Reads impact letter from parents in group. | Complete all required curriculum activities in a timely manner. | Participates and demonstrates competency in daily reviews of yesterday's activities. |
| Begins to identify issues that brought you to Aspen. | Participates in group therapy. | Participates in individual therapy. |
| Completes assignments given by therapist in a timely manner. | Write two letters home to your parents, including sharing experiences you are having at Aspen. | Create three goals to work toward while at Aspen. |
Buffalo phase: This phase also lasts about 14 days and after the old self image of the youth should have been broken down, it is time for the person to develop a kind of family / community relation to the team and a higher sense of consequence. Tasks in this phase are:
| Demonstrates improved communication skills | Calls groups when conflict arises | Communicates without profanity. |
| Confronts others appropriately. | Asks for help and guidance from others appropriately. | Gives and receives appropriate feedback to/from others. |
| Assists new Coyotes in adjusting to group. | Demonstrates respect toward others. | Works toward growth for self rather than external reasons. |
| Promotes teamwork within the group. | Write a letter of responsibility to parents and share in group. | Assist in the teaching of other detainees in at least two bow drill fire methods. |
| Plans and cooks one meal for the entire group. | Make a gift that will be useful to the whole group. | Begins to take responsibility for behavior that resulted in being sent to Aspen. |
| Takes more active role in individual therapy. | Takes more active role in group therapy. | Write at least one letter home to your parents, including the identification of issues that you and your family can work on. |
| Create and commit in writing, two goals for the future in each of the following five categories: physical, intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual. |
Eagle phase: Based on the new inflicted self image, this phase focuses on transition them into the home settings. This phase lasts about 14 days. Tasks in this phase are:
| Assist in teaching one curriculum lesson makes gifts for family members | Be responsible for leading group in completing a service project. | Provides appropriate leadership to other group members. |
| Assist in facilitating one process group. | Assist other students with their skill development. | Promotes trustworthiness in group. |
| Actively participates in daily process groups. | Takes initiative in organizing daily activities. | Leads group without exhibiting dominating or controlling qualities. |
| Is truthful | Admits mistakes, takes ownership. | Gives and receives constructive feedback regarding strengths and weaknesses |
Reunion: In this phase the youth cleans up the camp, clothes and body. The student's family travels to Utah to spend two days in the wilderness with their child. The family participates in family therapies, parent workshops, family solos, and multifamily workshops. The phase ends with a graduation meal and ceremony, which marks the end of the program.
[edit] In news media and popular culture
Aspen Achievement Academy has been a subject of several media reports and works of popular culture.
- The 1999 book Shouting at the Sky: Troubled Teens and the Promise of the Wild by Gary Ferguson, ISBN 0-312-20008-0 recounts the author's experiences and observations during several months he spent in the wilderness with teens at Aspen Achievement Academy.
- The third season of the UK TV series Brat Camp was shot at Aspen Achievement Academy.
- In January 1996, six students ran away from an Aspen group. They were found by law enforcement officials and returned to the program, but the incident raised concerns that future escapees might assault tourists, hikers or recreationists on the public lands that Aspen used. Afterward, the Bureau of Land Management, which manages these lands, was reported to be have conducted a review to determine whether to renew or terminate Aspen's access permit.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ Christopher Smith, Tough love proves too tough High Country News, June 10, 1996
